Travel Mooch

Travel MoochIgoUgo Defines the Difference between a Welcome Guest and a"Travel Mooch;" Offers Tips for Politely Sponging off Family andFriends on Your Next Vacation

NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--With travel costs a big concern this summer, many travelers willopt to skip the hotel as a sure-fire way to save money when visitingfamily or friends. But some will take cost savings to the extreme andlet who they know dictate where they go - so they can vacation forfree.

In a poll released this week by IgoUgo.com, one of the mostpopular travel communities in the world, 57 percent of respondentssaid they would consider staying with family or friends on vacation,and 55 percent said in the past, they have vacationed somewhere solelybecause they had family or friends who could provide freeaccommodations.

But the poll also revealed that not all vacationing houseguestsare the same. While the majority of houseguests (75 percent) say theyenjoy spending time with their hosts, 25 percent appear to bemotivated primarily by convenience and savings - they don't includethe enjoyment of their hosts' company in a list of top reasons forstaying with them at all.

The editors of IgoUgo have coined the term "travel mooch" todescribe those 25 percent of dreaded houseguests who tend to push thelimits of couch-surfing etiquette. If you've ever hosted vacationingfriends, you've probably known one; if you've ever stayed with friendsor family on vacation, you may be one.

"The summer travel season is here, and many of us will be stayingwith family or friends at some point in the coming months," saidCameron Siewert, content and community manager at IgoUgo.com. "Thetrick is to be a welcomed guest and not an inconsiderate mooch - afterall, the ultimate goal is to get invited back!"

-- Many stay with friends they're meeting for the first time: 23percent of poll respondents said they have or would.

-- Some stay with friends they meet on the Internet: 15 percentof poll respondents said they have or would.

The good news about travel mooches, according to the poll, is thatthey expect fewer basic hospitalities like linens, groceries andairport transportation; the bad news is that they're also less likelyto offer such hospitalities to their own guests. And significantlyfewer mooches enjoy having vacationing guests in their own homes; 8percent don't even allow guests to stay.

Besides saving money, what motivates a travel mooch to stay intouch with friends in great destinations? According to the poll, theydo value the friendships they cultivate in the process, but they'resignificantly more likely than guests to have practical - or evenulterior - motives. Access to local knowledge (43 percent) and havinga place to stay (32 percent) are the main reasons given.

"There's something to be said for staying with a local on yourvacation - not only will you save money, but you'll likely get theinside scoop on the coolest things to do and see," said Siewert. "Butyour host should feel that you value spending time with them - notthat you're simply taking advantage of a free place to crash."

Afraid you've crossed the line into mooching territory? IgoUgoeditors will help you keep your travel tactics aboveboard with theirTen Commandments of Couch Crashing:

1. Thou shalt give thy host plenty of advance notice. Don't be theperson who calls asking for a place to crash the next day--or even thenext week. At least a month in advance is a good rule of thumb.

2. Thou shalt not bring an assortment of friends and pets. Ifyou're single and traveling with a companion, ask your host forpermission to bring him or her along. And if you've got multiplepeople or animals in tow, step back and put yourself in your hosts'shoes before you even ask.

3. Thou shalt not take hospitalities for granted. Be considerateand double-check with your host about what you should bring. Don'tjust assume that towels, sheets, pillows and toiletries will beprovided.

4. Thou shalt put the convenience of thy host above all else. Youadhere to check-in and check-out times when you stay in hotels. Keepthat frame of mind when staying with friends and family: be sureyou're arriving and departing at times that are convenient for them.And unless they offer a ride, make your own arrangements fortransportation to and from their home.

5. Thou shalt exercise common decency. Don't bring new friendsback to your hosts' home. If your hosts drive you places, pay for atank of gas. Wash your dishes. Take out the trash. Pay for your owngroceries... you get the picture.

This poll was conducted from April 22 - April 28, 2008 with atotal of 1,376 respondents. An email invitation to participate wassent to subscribers of IgoUgo.com's "Contests and Promotions" emails.To view complete poll results, please go towww.igougo.com/travelmooching

About IgoUgo

IgoUgo is one of the most popular online travel communities in theworld. Its 350,000 members--world-seasoned and passionatetravelers--share firsthand travel experiences, advice, and photos,with candid tips and inspiring stories covering more than 5,500 globaldestinations. Site users can search by keyword to find reviews bylike-minded travelers, as well as destination guides and helpfullinks. Members can easily contact one another to ask questions,exchange information, and build friendships without geographic bounds.In return for writing reviews, IgoUgo members accrue valuable pointsredeemable for gift certificates and frequent-flyer miles. IgoUgo hasgarnered top industry honors, including being named one of Forbes'"Best Travel Sites" in 2006, a Webby Award for "Best Travel Site inthe U.S.," a "Top Travel Site" ranking from USA Today, and "BestTravel Community" and "Top Travel Site" commendations from YahooInternet Life.